Which soft drink has the lowest calories?

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition data, a standard 12-ounce can of regular cola contains around 155 calories, while numerous diet and zero-sugar varieties contain virtually none. Finding which soft drink has the lowest calories is crucial for those watching their sugar intake or aiming for weight management, but the answer goes beyond a simple calorie count.

Quick Summary

Several prominent brands offer soft drinks with zero calories, including Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Pepsi, and Sprite Zero. These are sweetened with artificial or natural zero-calorie sweeteners. Alternatives like flavored sparkling waters, kombucha, and homemade fruit-infused water also provide low-calorie or zero-calorie fizz.

Key Points

Zero-Calorie Sodas: Many diet and zero-sugar soft drinks, including Coke Zero Sugar, Diet Pepsi, and Sprite Zero, contain virtually zero calories and are sweetened with artificial sweeteners.
Zero-Calorie Alternatives: Unflavored and flavored sparkling water, like Fresca or LaCroix, are excellent choices for zero-calorie fizz with a hint of natural flavor.
Naturally Sweetened Options: Brands such as Zevia use plant-based, zero-calorie stevia as a sweetener, providing a naturally sweetened alternative.
Probiotic and Prebiotic Choices: Kombucha and specialized prebiotic sodas like Olipop and Poppi offer low-calorie options with added gut health benefits, though they may contain a small amount of sugar.
Potential Health Considerations: While zero-calorie sodas help cut sugar, some studies suggest links between artificial sweeteners and weight perception, cravings, and potential health concerns, emphasizing the importance of moderation.
Best for Health: While low-calorie options are a good step, water is always the healthiest choice. Balancing consumption and reading labels for ingredients are key practices for mindful drinking.

The Zero-Calorie Contenders: Diet vs. Zero Sugar

When searching for the soft drink with the lowest calories, the most obvious options are those labeled "diet" or "zero sugar." These beverages are sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners, which provide sweetness without adding significant calories or carbohydrates. Key players in this space include:

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar: Offers the classic Coca-Cola taste with zero calories. It uses a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium to achieve its flavor.
Diet Pepsi: One of the original diet sodas, Diet Pepsi also contains zero calories per 12-ounce serving and is sweetened with a mix of artificial sweeteners.
Sprite Zero: Delivering a crisp lemon-lime flavor, Sprite Zero provides the taste without the sugar or calories of its regular counterpart.
Fresca: A popular citrus-flavored soda water, Fresca is another widely available option that contains zero calories and zero sugar.
Zevia: This brand uses stevia, a plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener, across its range of sodas. It provides a variety of flavors for those who prefer a natural-based sweetener over artificial ones.

Are There Any Calories at All?

For most zero-sugar soft drinks, the calorie count is so negligible it is rounded down to zero on nutritional labels. While a single serving might technically contain a tiny fraction of a calorie, the number is so small that it is effectively non-existent from a dietary perspective. For those counting every single calorie, unsweetened and unflavored sparkling water is the ultimate zero-calorie beverage.

Low-Calorie Soft Drink Alternatives

Beyond traditional zero-calorie sodas, a new wave of alternatives offers different flavor profiles and potential health benefits. These options typically contain a small number of calories but are still far below a standard sugary soda.

Flavored Sparkling Water

Brands like Spindrift and AHA offer flavored sparkling waters that use real fruit juice or natural essences for a hint of flavor. Spindrift, for instance, has options with around 10-20 calories per can, providing a clean, refreshing taste.

Kombucha

This fermented tea is not only low in calories but also contains probiotics that can support gut health. While some kombuchas have added sugar, many brands, such as Remedy Kombucha, offer zero-sugar options. These can range from 5 to 45 calories per serving, depending on the brand and flavor.

Prebiotic Sodas

Brands like Olipop and Poppi market themselves as healthier soda alternatives. They contain prebiotic fiber to support gut health and use minimal added sugar. For example, a can of Poppi contains around 25 calories and 5 grams of sugar, a fraction of the calories found in a standard soft drink.

Comparison of Popular Low and Zero-Calorie Drinks

To provide a clear picture, here is a comparison of common options for a 12-ounce serving.


Beverage Type	Example Brands	Calories (approx.)	Sweetener Type	Key Feature
Zero-Calorie Soda	Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Pepsi, Sprite Zero	0-1 cal	Artificial (Aspartame, Sucralose)	Classic soda taste, zero sugar
Flavored Sparkling Water	AHA, LaCroix, Spindrift	0-10 cal	Natural Essences, Fruit Juice	Clean taste, natural flavor
Stevia-Sweetened Soda	Zevia	0 cal	Stevia	Plant-based sweetener
Kombucha	Remedy Kombucha	5-45 cal	Natural (from fermentation), sometimes added Stevia/Monk Fruit	Probiotics, fermented tea taste
Prebiotic Soda	Olipop, Poppi	25-45 cal	Fruit Juice, Monk Fruit, Stevia	Prebiotic fiber, low sugar

Potential Health Considerations of Zero-Calorie Sodas

While zero-calorie and low-calorie soft drinks are a clear win for reducing sugar and calorie intake, the overall health impact is still a topic of ongoing research.

Artificial Sweeteners: Some studies suggest a link between frequent consumption of artificial sweeteners and weight gain, as they can alter how the brain responds to sweetness and lead to cravings. However, other studies show replacing sugary drinks with diet versions can aid weight loss.
Dental Health: The acids used to create the fizzy, tart flavor in many diet sodas can lead to tooth enamel erosion over time, similar to regular soda.
Individual Reactions: The way artificial sweeteners affect an individual can vary. Some may experience digestive issues, and the impact on the gut microbiome is still being studied. For instance, a small Norwegian study found a potential link between sweetened drinks and preterm birth, although more research is needed.

How to Choose the Right Low-Calorie Drink for You

Choosing the 'best' low-calorie soft drink depends on your personal preferences and health goals. Consider these factors when making your decision:

Read the label carefully. Check for the specific type of sweetener and whether it's zero or low calorie. Some options market themselves as "diet" but still contain a small number of calories or sugar from fruit juice.
Evaluate your taste preferences. If you're used to traditional soda, zero-calorie sodas like Coke Zero or Diet Pepsi will provide the closest taste match. For those open to new flavors, kombucha or prebiotic sodas can be an enjoyable change.
Consider the ingredients. If you are concerned about artificial sweeteners, look for brands that use natural alternatives like stevia or monk fruit, or opt for flavored sparkling water with real fruit juice.
Balance your consumption. Even with low or zero-calorie drinks, moderation is key. Water remains the most important fluid for hydration. Cycling between different beverages can help satisfy cravings while promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Conclusion

For those seeking the lowest calorie soft drink, the answer is definitively any zero-calorie, zero-sugar soda, or simply flavored sparkling water. Major brands like Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Pepsi, and Sprite Zero offer popular versions with effectively zero calories by using artificial sweeteners. Meanwhile, modern alternatives like Zevia and prebiotic sodas use natural sweeteners and offer additional benefits like fiber. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your preference for sweeteners and overall health goals, with plain water always being the healthiest option for hydration. The move towards healthier beverage options has never been more diverse, giving consumers plenty of ways to enjoy a fizzy drink without the added sugar and calories of traditional sodas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most major diet and zero-sugar sodas, such as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Pepsi, contain negligible amounts of calories, which allows them to be labeled as zero-calorie. Some low-calorie alternatives may contain a small number of calories from sources like fruit juice, so it's always best to check the nutritional label.

Both Coke Zero and Diet Coke are calorie-free but use different sweetener blends, leading to slightly different flavor profiles. A registered dietitian noted that both are deemed safe in moderation by the FDA, though some research on artificial sweeteners like aspartame raises questions about long-term effects. The best choice is the one you prefer, consumed in moderation.

Excellent low-calorie alternatives include flavored sparkling water from brands like Spindrift, prebiotic sodas such as Olipop and Poppi, and kombucha. These options use minimal sugar or natural sweeteners and often contain added benefits like fiber or probiotics.

Research on diet soda's effect on weight is mixed and conflicting. Some observational studies suggest a link between drinking diet soda and higher BMI, possibly by influencing cravings for sweet foods. However, experimental studies have shown that replacing sugary drinks with diet soda can lead to weight loss. The overall dietary pattern is the most important factor.

Plain, unflavored sparkling water contains zero calories. Flavored sparkling waters, especially those with added fruit juice, can contain a very small number of calories, but many still qualify as a zero-calorie or very low-calorie beverage.

The healthiest soft drink is one with no added sugar, minimal or zero calories, and limited artificial ingredients. Zevia, which uses stevia, and kombucha with low sugar content are often cited as healthier alternatives. Ultimately, plain water or fruit-infused water is the healthiest option.

Like regular sodas, many artificially sweetened beverages contain acids, such as citric and phosphoric acid, which can erode tooth enamel over time. While they don't have sugar to feed bacteria that cause cavities, the acidity poses a risk to dental health.